draw a blank, to
draw a blank
1. When trying to recall something, to be unable to think of anything at all. I'm sorry, I'm drawing a blank—what's your name again? I actually did know the answer to that question, I just drew a blank when the teacher called on me, OK?
2. To be unable to find something. Mom, I looked for those Christmas decorations all over the house, but I've drawn a blank. Are you sure you didn't give them to Grandma?
See also: blank, draw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
draw a blank
1. . Fig. to get no response; to find nothing. I asked him about Tom's financial problems, and I just drew a blank. We looked in the files for an hour, but we drew a blank.
2. Fig. to fail to remember something. I tried to remember her telephone number, but I could only draw a blank. It was a very hard test with just one question to answer, and I drew a blank.
See also: blank, draw
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
draw a blank
Fail to find or remember something, as in He looks familiar but I've drawn a blank on his name. This expression alludes to drawing a lottery ticket with nothing on it (so one cannot win a prize). [Early 1800s]
See also: blank, draw
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
draw a blank
COMMON
1. If you are trying to find someone or something and you draw a blank, you cannot find them. Note: Originally, to draw a blank meant to be given a losing ticket in a lottery. I searched among the bottles and drew a blank.
2. If you are trying to find out about something and you draw a blank, you fail to find out about it. Note: Originally, to draw a blank meant to be given a losing ticket in a lottery. We asked if they'd been in. We drew a blank.
3. If you draw a blank, you are unable to remember something or to answer a question you are asked. Note: Originally, to draw a blank meant to be given a losing ticket in a lottery. Asked what her son's first words were, Deirdre drew a blank. Why do we recognise a face, but sometimes draw a blank when it comes to the name?
4. In a sporting contest, if a team or competitor draws a blank, they do not score any goals or points, or win any races. Note: Originally, to draw a blank meant to be given a losing ticket in a lottery. Goal-shy Raith drew a blank at home yet again. He now leads Pat Eddery, who drew a blank in the title race.
See also: blank, draw
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
draw a blank
elicit no response; be unsuccessful.A blank was originally a lottery ticket that did not win a prize.
See also: blank, draw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
draw a ˈblank
not find something that you are looking for: There was no sign of the murder weapon. The police searched every inch of the forest but drew a blank.See also: blank, draw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
draw a blank
To fail to find or remember something.
See also: blank, draw
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
draw a blank, to
To be unable to remember or to find something. The term refers to a losing ticket in a lottery, which has no number printed on it—that is, it is blank. It first appeared in print in the early nineteenth century.
See also: draw
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a run on (something)
- a rush on (something)
- address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
- address comments or remarks to
- address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)
- be in it for
- be pressed for time
- be pushed for time
- (something) is over (one's) head
- be at a disadvantage